Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: September 2012
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book One
Synopsis can be found here.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Blue strengthens others’ abilities, whether it’s her physic mother, aunt or her mother’s clairvoyant friends. And she steers clear of the Raven Boys, teenage boys who go to the local private school. Until one night, she sees one, stumbling along the cemetery yard, whispering to her. Because this night is no ordinary night. It’s St. Mark’s Night, when the soon to be dead walk the ley line. Blue knows this means this mysterious boy has limited time, and she recognizes the emblem on his sweater- the raven.
Handsome, rich and obsessed, Gansey doesn’t realize his time is wearing thin. Along with his three best friends, Gansey’s quest takes him to the ley line and to Blue. And to a darkness they didn’t know existed.
There is so much to say about this Maggie Stiefvater book.
I read it so slowly, it took me days, because I did not want to miss anything. The beauty of her writing is perfect here, conveying the struggling emotions of Adam, the complicated friendships between Gansey and his crew, and the soft spot growing inside Blue’s chest for these misfit boys. I loved every word of it.
Adam, Gansey, Noah and Ronan are sculpted so differently, it’s easy to hear their distinct voices through the book. And even easier to see how they are all friends. There is love but also power struggles, money issues, pride and friendship that weave in and out of these complicated boys’ lives.
On the other hand, Blue and her household is another dynamic entirely. I especially loved it when the women did a certain reading for a certain boy. The dialogue is crisp and fast and Blue really shows herself through some wonderful observations that make her seem older than her years.
There are lots of wonderfully dark moments in the story, causing the plot to rush forward and then turn dramatically. The danger and urgency escalate in a slow build and before I knew it, I was spending every waking moment I had either reading, or thinking about the book, or thinking about when I was next goign to read the book. It’s been an obsessive few days- Now I know how Gansey feels.
This may be one of my favorite Maggie books, besides The Scorpio Races.
Dying to read the next one, which comes out next month.
Thank the powers that be.
Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome like Cookies and Ice Cream
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
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I know exactly what you mean about reading a book slowly to try not to miss anything – sometimes I even go back and reread the paragraph. Usually though I can’t resist going fast and then just read it through again right after. LOVED this one!